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Shelvey seeks maximum Liverpool playing time with Under-21s role

The Reds midfielder has played only four first-team matches since the turn of the year and is looking to keep himself primed and developing by playing youth football

Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey says that he is seeking as much playing time as possible as he starts to make more regular appearances for the club’s Under-21s side.

The youngster was a consistent figure for the Reds in the first half of the Premier League season but has appeared just four times for the first team since the start of 2013, turning out against Manchester United and Southampton for the team’s youth XI more recently.

“I just want to keep playing games because there’s nothing worse than training all week and not playing at the weekend. It’s a case of getting myself some games and keeping myself ticking over,” Shelvey told the club’s official website.

“I was told I was playing against United for the Under-21s. I thought it was because they were against a bigger team and they’re doing so well, I might help the team get a win.”

However, even with Shelvey in the side the young Reds managed only a 1-1 draw against Southampton and a 1-0 defeat to United.

“After that, I said to Brendan [Rodgers]: ‘If there are any other games that fit in with the schedule, can I play in them?'” the midfielder continued.

“Liverpool fans should be excited for the players that they’ve got coming through and hopefully they can progress and get themselves games in the first team.”

When asked who has impressed him most recently, Shelvey replied: “There are a few, the boy in midfield, Joao [Texeira] – I think he’s going to be a great player. Suso has dropped down and played well the other night.”